Record sales at the Hospices de Beaune

The 158th Hospices de Beaune wine auction enjoyed a record sale of €14,18 million (£12.6 million), according to auction organiser Christie’s.

Bordeaux 2016: the yin-yang vintage

Fortuitous rain and an Indian summer deliver promising vintage for Bordeaux

September weather saves diminished Burgundy harvest but price rises on way

Burgundy 2016 is likely to deliver a good but not great vintage as cost of hail and frost counted while grapes come in.

Insights: Better exchange rate, high enough quality means buying opportunities for 2014 Burgundy

Panos Kakaviatos reports on the Hospices de Beaune auction and the opportunities he found for Burgundy's 2014 vintage. He found 2015 may raise more headlines, but 2014 may offer better price/quality ratios.

En primeur whites: excellent vintage, but don't overestimate the acidity

A few years ago, I enjoyed a horizontal of the 2000 vintage of white Graves at Domaine de Chevalier and was struck at how some estates with higher acidities did better than others. 2000 was not a particularly successful vintage for whites. In contrast to 2014, the summer was too hot to produce vibrant wines and most were better enjoyed in their youth. So wines made from earlier picked grapes suited the vintage better - but that did not mean that the wines were necessarily very good. They conveyed freshness - but also under-ripe fruit.

En Primeur: Bordeaux 2014 is a classicist's delight

Based on barrel tastings, 2014 is a welcome vintage after two terribly average years (2011, a slightly better 2012) and one downright ugly (2013, except for the whites).It may remind old timers of 1975. After three mediocre vintages, finally something good came.

Panos Kakaviatos: Domaine Zind Humbrecht 2013s - just bottled and delicious

They have not hit store shelves yet, but wine lovers should take note: many Domaine Zind Humbrecht 2013 wines exude crispy freshness, purity of fruit, delectable mid-palate sap, medium to full body, and often long and pleasing finishes

Burgundy winemaker Roland Masse set for last Hospice de Beaune before handing over to first female manager

Burgundy winemaker, Roland Masse, will see his last vintage put up for auction at this weekend's Hospice de Beaune before he passes on the responsibility to Ludivine Griveau, the first woman to look after the domain in its history.

Burgundy winemaker Roland Masse reflects on his last year as manager of Hospice de Beaune

The winemaker and manager of Domaine des Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy, Roland Masse, 61, will complete his 15^th and final vintage for the annual Hospices de Beaune auction this coming Sunday. Here he reflects on his career before handing over responsiblity to Ludivine Griveau who will become the first woman to manage the domain from January.

Why Greek wine deserves to be taken seriously

Greece recently celebrated its "Ohi Day" ("No" day) on October 28 to mark the time when in 1940 the then Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, rejected Benito Mussolini's ultimatum to march troops through Greece. In 2014, much is being said about how Greeks need to say "no" to corruption, which has contributed to the country's on-going economic crisis.

Panos Kakaviatos on why it is time to get excited about Greek wine again

From a smooth and structured Rossiu di Munte Yiniets 2009 by Katogi Averoff (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) to the chocolately hutzpah of Avaton by Ktima Gerovassiliou PGI Epanomi 2011, with three Greek varieties (Limnio, Mavroudi and Mavrotragano), Greek wine is creating some buzz among both consumers and wine writers.

Panos Kakaviatos on the struggle to keep up with wine communications

Bordeaux 2013: the Right Bank

Panos Kakaviatos tasted his way around Bordeaux's top chateaux last week, finding out how winemakers had fared in the troubled 2013 vintage. In the final part of a three-part series, he describes Right Bank wines and how well some of the more affordable chateaux have performed. 

Bordeaux 2013: the Left Bank

Panos Kakaviatos tasted his way around Bordeaux's top chateaux last week, finding out how winemakers had fared in the troubled 2013 vintage. In part two of a three-part series, he describes how the red wines are "scaled down versions of better vintages".

Bordeaux 2013: Choose whites over reds

Panos Kakaviatos tasted his way around Bordeaux's top chateaux last week, finding out how winemakers had fared in the troubled 2013 vintage. In part one of a three-part series, he describes why his money is on the white wines.

Entire Bordeaux 2013 production will be drunk within 10 years, says UGCB president

The head of the body which represents Bordeaux's top chateaux has predicted that 2013 wines will have been consumed within 10 years, but merchants are less sure.

En primeur: rapid campaign to unfold, but no demand

Following the surprising early release price of Pontet-Canet last week at €60-a-bottle - the same as 2012 - sources in Bordeaux say that the campaign will be very short, with many wines releasing prices by next week.

US merchants call for lower prices in Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign

As the trade gets ready for the annual 2013 en primeur tastings an increasing number of leading wine merchants  around the world are calling for lower prices in this year's campaign, including key players in the United States.

Panos Kakaviatos explores the world of Dom Pérignon

Champagne may be great to drink anytime, but it is good to know that one need not spend too much on a fine bottle. During a Paris salon earlier this month, I tasted through some lovely bottles of moderately priced non-vintage Champagnes, including Drappier, Piper Heidsieck and Larmandier-Bernier. These and others provide well balanced aromas and flavours of citrus, brioche and a full bodied character, complemented with fine bubbles and freshness.